For Sunday,
April 6, 2025; Readings: Isaiah 43:16-21, Psalm 126, Philippians
3:4b-15, John 12:1-8
Thus says the LORD, who
makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters...Do not remember the
things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth... [Isaiah 43:16, 18-19a]
The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad
indeed. [Psalm 126:4]
For his sake I have suffered the loss of
all things...in order that I may gain Christ, and be found in him, not having a
righteousness of my own...but one that comes through faith in Christ...this one
thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies
ahead, I press on... [Philippians 3:8b-9, 13b-14a]
Six days before the
Passover...Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed
Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the
fragrance of the perfume...Judas Iscariot...was a thief. [John 12: 1a,3, 4a, 6b]
In the readings for
this Sunday, Isaiah and Paul don’t so much remind us that we are to forget
the old ways as things are being made new, but rather they tell us directly
that we must look and move – straining forward as Paul says
– to what lies ahead. We are given a way and
a path with our faith that guides us to the eternal life we
are promised if we keep our eyes on the prize.
We
are nearing the end of our journey through Lent but much awaits us in the
approach to Easter. While we know what is coming, obviously those reclining and
serving at the home of Lazarus that night did not. A seemingly small moment at
a gathering of friends was quite enough to kick off the deadly series of events
that changed the world forever. The tension is building as if in a novel.
Every thought and phrase expressed reveals a clue to what is coming – as if we
didn't already know. Six days before Passover Jesus came to
Bethany ~ a scant two miles' walk to Jerusalem. Mary, sister of Martha
and Lazarus, anoints his feet with an expensive perfume made of nard, the cost
of which sets Judas off in a tizz and the Gospel writer is very clear about the
thieving Iscariot's character and coming betrayal.
The fragrant nard itself is symbolic. It was customary for the household
to prepare for the feet of the guests to be washed as a practical and
hospitable welcome. This particular perfume, however, was worth a fortune,
as much as or more than a year's wages for an average worker and this gesture
might have seemed quite excessive to anyone by normal standards. This anointing
is to us, if not to them, also a symbol of the Kingship of the not yet
Resurrected Christ. Jesus was clear that Mary's act of love meant more than
mere hospitality; it was a foreshadowing of his soon to come death and burial.
The ritual of burial involved precious spices and oils and the anointing of the
body always began with the feet.
Pay close attention to the readings ahead. God is about to do a
new thing again and there is much to hear differently and to
learn anew.
Yes, in our day and time we know what is coming, yet let
us forget for the moment and then remember to forget what we think we know
about these readings. Listen and then go forward into all that lies ahead,
through Easter and beyond, as if it were new, unknown, and happening now, in
order to rediscover the path of our faith yet again.
LET
US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ O Lord, our
Way and our Path, restore the fortunes of our souls as we renew our faith, and
press on in this life toward the goal of answering Your heavenly call.
O God in Christ Jesus
RESPONSE: You have made
us Your own
~ O Lord, our Way
and our Path, guide the hearts and minds of all who govern across this world,
this nation, and this community, toward principled, ethical, and humane action
and legislation to revitalize every aspect of Your Creation. We pray especially
for: add your own petitions
O God in Christ Jesus
You have made us Your own
~ O Lord, our Way
and our Path, kindle hope in all who are poor in body, mind, or spirit,
and to all who give them care. We now join our hearts to pray aloud for
those in need…add your own petitions
O God in Christ Jesus
You have made us Your own
~ O Lord, our Way
and our Path, may those who are grieving be consoled in knowing that all
now returned to the prize of life in You, are celebrated with heavenly shouts
of joy. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O God in Christ Jesus
You have made us Your own
~ O Lord, our
Way and our Path, we pause in this moment to offer You our
other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud
or silently… add your own petitions
O God in Christ Jesus
You have made us Your own
~ O Lord, our Way
and our Path, refresh and enliven the spirits of those chosen to lead and
accompany us on this mortal journey, sharing with us the joy of
Christ, even in the darkest of times. We pray especially for: add
your own petitions
O God in Christ Jesus
You
have made us Your own
The Celebrant adds: Almighty and Eternal God, release us from the false
piety of righteousness, and pride in mere earthly achievement. Awaken us to the
freedom of knowing and living each day in Christ, through the power of His
Resurrection. We ask through Jesus, our Anointed Christ; and the
Holy Spirit, Your Fragrant Breath; who together with You are One God, forever
and ever. Amen.
All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment